Hey there! If you’ve ever stood in a bathroom showroom (or even scrolled through way too many home decor TikTok videos) stressing about picking the right bathroom cabinet, you’re not alone. I’ve been in the bathroom cabinets game for over a decade, and one question I get at least three times a day is: “Single vs. double sink cabinets—what’s the actual difference? Is it just about the number of faucets?” Let’s break this down, no jargon, no fancy corporate fluff, just real talk from someone who’s seen homeowners make every possible mistake (like buying a double sink cabinet for a tiny powder room and then panicking when it doesn’t fit). Bathroom Cabinets
First off, let’s get one thing straight—this isn’t just “one sink vs. two.” It’s a whole vibe, a functional difference that actually impacts how you use your bathroom every single morning. Let’s start with single sink cabinets, because that’s still the go-to for a lot of spaces, especially guest baths, kids’ baths, or even main baths that are on the smaller side. When I talk about single sink, I’m not just talking about one hole for a faucet—we’re looking at the whole unit: the countertop size, the storage, even how it affects your daily routine.
For example, last year we had a couple come in and swear they needed a double sink because they had two people in their house. Their guest bath was only 48 inches wide. I showed them our best-selling single sink—with a 40-inch countertop, deep under-sink storage, and a wide open counter space next to the faucet. They ended up buying it, and texted me a week later saying it was way better than cramming two sinks into a space that felt like a closet. The thing about single sink cabinets is that they give you way more counter real estate—like, think about where you set your toothbrush, your face wash, your makeup, that random bottle of lotion you can never find a home for. With a double sink, that counter space is split down the middle, so you’re fighting for that 10-inch strip between the two faucets. I see it all the time—people propping their phone on the edge of a double sink counter because there’s nowhere else to put it, or their significant other is always knocking over their skincare bottles because the space is too tight.
Then there’s storage, which is a big one. Single sink cabinets usually have one big under-sink cabinet, or sometimes two smaller doors (depending on the size) but the total storage space is often similar to a double? Wait, no—wait, hold on, let me get that right. No, actually, single sink cabinets tend to have more flexible storage because there’s only one sink. Like, our 36-inch single sink cabinet has a full lower cabinet with an adjustable shelf, plus a shallow drawer up top for things you grab every day (toothpaste, floss, etc.). A 36-inch double sink? You’ve got two sinks taking up the counter, so the under-sink storage is split between two smaller cabinets, and the drawer is narrower. It’s not that you have less total storage, but it’s less usable because the sink pipes take up space in both under-sink areas. For small bathrooms, that lack of usable space on the counter and under the sink can be a game-changer—single sink just works better when you’re low on square footage.
Now let’s talk about double sink cabinets. These are for the households that feel like two people are using the bathroom at the same time every single morning—kids who are rushing to school, couples who have back-to-back meetings, that kind of chaos. The big obvious difference is two sinks, but here’s the thing most people don’t realize: double sink cabinets are usually wider. I’m talking 60 inches or more, minimum. You can’t fit two standard sinks on a 48-inch cabinet—trust me, we’ve tried. So if your bathroom is less than 60 inches wide, a double sink cabinet is probably out of the question, unless you’re okay with those tiny, awkward sinks that feel like they belong in a college dorm. That’s not a vibe anyone wants in their main bathroom.
The big win with double sink is obviously the morning rush. No more fighting over who gets to use the faucet first. I had a client a few months back—she was a nurse working 12-hour shifts, her husband was a teacher, and they both needed to get out the door by 7 a.m. Their old single sink was turning them into morning zombies. They ordered our 72-inch double sink cabinet, and she told me later it was like adding an extra hour to their day. Each of them had their own sink, their own counter space, even their own under-sink storage. No more knocking over his razor when she’s brushing her teeth, no more waiting while he shaves. That’s the practical, real-life difference that you can’t get from just looking at specs online.
But wait—double sink isn’t all sunshine and no fighting. There are downsides. First, they’re way bigger, so if you have a small bathroom, they can make the space feel cramped instead of functional. We had another customer who ordered a double sink cabinet for a 55-inch wide main bath, and when it arrived, it stuck out an inch from the wall on both sides. He had to return it, and told me he never would have measured the exact space if we hadn’t sent along that little “double sink minimum width” tip. Another thing: cost. Double sink cabinets are more expensive, because they’re bigger, have two faucets (if you go with two), and sometimes extra hardware. Plus, if you ever decide to sell your house? A double sink in a small main bath can be a turn-off for some buyers, who might think the space is too cluttered.
Let’s also not forget about style. Single sink cabinets come in so many more styles, especially the smaller ones—perfect for a powder room that’s all glam marble or a cozy vintage bathroom. Double sink cabinets are usually more modern, with straight lines, lots of hardware, that big, bulky vibe. Not that there aren’t stylish double sinks—we have a matte black 72-inch one that’s super popular—but single sink just tends to fit more niche design aesthetics.
Wait, and what about plumbing? That’s a big one that a lot of people overlook. When you have a double sink, you need two sets of water lines, two drains—so if you’re remodeling an existing bathroom, switching from single to double means hiring a plumber to reroute pipes, which adds to the cost. If you’re building a new house, that’s not a big deal, but if you’re retrofitting, it’s a whole other job. Single sink is way easier for plumbing, because there’s only one set of lines. That’s a huge factor most homeowners don’t think about until they’re mid-remodel and staring at a $1,500 plumber bill.
Another thing: maintenance. Let’s be real, two sinks mean two faucets to clean, two areas where water can splash, two places where mold or gunk can build up. With a single sink, you’re only wiping down one faucet, one sink basin. Double sink? You’ve got twice the surface to scrub, twice the chance of a leaky pipe or a clogged drain. I’ve had customers come to us complaining that their new double sink cabinet’s drains keep clogging because two people are putting their toothpaste caps, hair, and makeup bits down both sinks. Single sink is way easier to keep clean, especially if you have kids who aren’t super careful with what they toss in the sink.
Let me wrap this up with a quick reality check. When you’re choosing between single and double sink, it’s not about which is “better”—it’s about which fits your space, your routine, and your budget. If you have a small bathroom, or you’re okay with sharing a little counter space (or you’re the only one who uses that bathroom), go single sink. You’ll get more storage, more counter space, a lower cost, and less maintenance. If you have a big enough bathroom, you’re always in a morning rush, and you can swing the extra cost and plumbing, then double sink is a game-changer.
Here’s the thing I always tell my customers: don’t just pick based on the number of sinks. Measure your bathroom first—width, depth, even how much space you have around the cabinet. Think about your daily routine. Do you share this bathroom with 2 other people, or is it just you? Do you need that extra counter space for your skincare and makeup, or are you fine with a smaller area? And don’t forget about plumbing—if you’re remodeling, talk to a plumber before you commit to a double sink, because that can add a ton of hidden costs.
At the end of the day, bathroom cabinets are more than just a place to set your sink. They’re part of how you start and end your day. I’ve seen single sink cabinets in tiny 40-inch powder rooms that look amazing and work perfectly. I’ve seen double sink cabinets in 72-inch main baths that make mornings way less stressful. The difference isn’t just the number of sinks—it’s how they fit your life.
If you’re stuck trying to figure out which one is right for you, or you want to see some real examples of our single and double sink cabinets, feel free to reach out to our team to talk shop. We don’t do pushy sales stuff—we just help you find something that works for your space and your needs. No hidden fees, no weird fine print, just honest advice from people who’ve been in this business long enough to know what works (and what doesn’t).
Mop Sink Reference:
National Kitchen & Bath Association. (2022). Bathroom Cabinet Design and Functionality Standards. NKBA Press.
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